High Tech High- San Diego

 http://www.hightechhigh.org/

What if school was about discovering your gifts, what you love to do, and what the world needs?  What if it was a place where you learned about how to make a meaningful contribution to others and the planet? Ever thought: “Hm, someone should do something about that. Wait! I’m someone!”

The world is growing in volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity and it needs your genius desperately. We need Entrepreneurs, Producers, Innovators & Change Makers (EPIC), people who desire to make other people’s lives better! We strive to do just that through powerful projects and deeper learning experiences.

GritLab.org: http://gritlab.org/
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GRITLab is a 9th grade STEAM program, currently incubated at High Tech High. GRITlab teachs science, graphic design, and engineering principles through complex interdisciplinary projects with a focus on developing GRIT in students as they propose, design, and fabricate complex engineering systems. GRITLab has been recognized for its outstanding work with students by the Paul G. Allen Foundation, San Diego Foundation, Aerospace Physiology Society, McGraw Hill, MIT InvenTeams, the Teaching Channel, and is currently featured in the film documentaries Most Likely to Succeed and Beyond Measure. GRITLab was founded in 2012 by Scott Swaaley.

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Exhibitions/Presentations of Learning(POL)  of student work are done 2-3 times during the year.
 
Curriculum meets Common Core and California A-G requirements
  • Teachers have wide latitude/expectations to plan curriculum- few constraints.
  • You need to trust your teachers to develop good projects, then get out of their way.
  • Teachers need to aspire to always become better teachers.
 
Projects are:
  • Personal
  • Authentic
  • Build on Relationships
  • Based on principles of equity and collaboration
  • Focus on student interests and goals
 
Active advisory program in grades 9-12. Many students come from difficult home backgrounds- single parents, homeless, in foster care, living in cars, commuting from across the Mexican border. Advisory serves to bridge the gap between home and school. At least one adult knows each student well.
  • The school tries to build a strong sense of community- kids can communicate to adults and each other. Students are treated as adults.
  • Establishing a school culture comes before anything.
  • When students transfer from traditional public schools, there is a gradual transition in mindset, which may take up to 2 years.
  • 96% of students attend college ( vs 50-60% for San Diego Unified School District). 41% become STEM majors.
  • 125 students per team of 3-4 teachers.
  • Classes are set up to be multi-grade--9/10 and 11/12.
 
Environmental Science/John Santos
http://hthibiology.weebly.com/syllabus.html
 Env Science is building a dory boat to symbolize students as entrepreneurs and publishers. Project will be presented in the spring at the San Diego Maritime Museum.
 
Geometry and Art project- mathematical shapes used to create sculptures.
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Engineering class- Brendan Cavalier 
Students are doing college-level civil engineering analysis.
Engineering vs 'making'- engineering approach focuses on analysis and modeling, 'making' focuses on iteration.
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Amelio Aviles( MIT Aero/Astro)-aeronautics project
               aaviles@hightechhigh.org -- students building a plane that can carry an egg 50 meters
                http://amilio.weebly.com/
 
MATH         Math Grade 12 project-- students creating infographics.
  • Sirena Van Epp-Math
         http://mathwithsirena.weebly.com/
         Info-graphics Project
  • Judy Wu-Math
         http://mathwithjudy.weebly.com/fall-2016-math-2.html
        Parabolic solar ovens
 
John Santos-
http://hthibiology.weebly.com/syllabus.html 
 
Teachers who are not successful at HTH are those who:
  • Expect to have their curriculum handed to them
  • Are not constantly trying to be better educators
  • Have a culture of negativity
  • Defend stagnation in their curriculum....'that's the way we've always done it'.
 
You need to be authentic to the student.


  • HTH has 5 times as much professional development as San Diego Unified School District.
  • New Teachers are actively mentored.
  • Student Choice is key to making HTH successful--students have an active voice in what they learn. Focus is on project-based instruction.
  • The students that are here WANT to be here, and the adults that are here WANT to connect with students.
  • HTH encourages but does not require students to commit to 200 hours of community service.Students do internship in their  junior year. There is a variety of options. Students should see that they are making a real-world impact.
 
Dan Allen- Art
https://sites.google.com/a/hightechhigh.org/dallenhthma/

Chemistry-Matt Martin
http://mattmartinchemistry.weebly.com/
 
        Soap Making:
        http://www.hightechhigh.org/hthma/project/wicked-soap-company/

       Students in the Wicked Soap Company use the engineering design process to make and then sell amazing soap. 
       Our young stakeholders are responsible for every aspect of the design, planning, creation, packaging, sales, and proceeds.
       Student use Chemistry to run an authentic business.
       They experiment with ingredients, ratios, and methods to refine their some into something useful and beautiful.
       Market research is done to find out what the consumers want and how we can best meet their needs.
       The Wicked Soap Company was launched in January 2015 and continues to grow today.